Samantha Russo, 22, of Nashua, reacts after being crowned the new Miss New Hampshire in 2013. (UNION LEADER FILE)

Miss NH

Miss NH competition slated for May 1-3

DERRY — Fifty years ago, Elizabeth Emerson captured the Miss New Hampshire crown and went on to Atlantic City to compete in the Miss America pageant with other contestants from across the country.

Much of the pageant competition remains — contestants are judged in swimsuit — although today it’s for fitness, in evening gown and on talent.

Emerson will be on hand Saturday night as this year’s 28 contestants take to the stage of the Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy for the 68th annual Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program competition.WMUR-TV sports director Jamie Staton and Miss New Hampshire 2013 Samantha Russo will emcee the event.

The winner will receive at least $13,000 in scholarships. Last year, $72,000 in scholarships were awarded to 28 women taking part in the statewide competition.

One thing not available a half-century ago was, of course, the Internet. And this year, as in the past few years, online users have the opportunity to select one of the 12 semi-finalists by voting at https://www.facebook.com/MissNH. Voting ends April 30.

The competition spans three days — Thursday through Saturday, May 1 to May 3 — and begins with preliminary rounds on Thursday and Friday nights, starting at 7 p.m. The final competition and crowning taking place on Saturday when the pageant starts at 6 p.m.Contestants are scored on a scale of 1 through 10 for talent, which accounts for 35 percent; interview, 25 percent; evening wear, 20 percent; lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit, 15 percent, and on stage question, 5 percent.

All stages of the competition are open to the public. Tickets for the preliminary rounds are $10 each, while tickets for Saturday’s final competition are priced from $35 to $50. Tickets can be purchased at the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program Office, 20 East Broadway, second floor, or call 437-9027.